Book stand and tray



Feb. 6, 1934. w. J. BOYLE BOOK STAND AND TRAY Filed Aug. 12, 1930 4 Sheets-Sheet l WILL/AM J. EOYL E, INVENTOI? Q i/z rron/v59 Feb. 6, w J BOYLE BOOK STAND AND TRAY Filed Aug. 12, 1930 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Feb. 6, w J. BOYLE BOOK STAND AND TRAY Filed Aug. 12, 1930 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 IN V ENTOR. lV/(ll/M'I J. BOYL F A TTORNEYS.

1934- w. .1. BOYLE BOOK STAND AND TRAY 1930 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Aug. 12

11v VEN TOR. Emu/4m J. 50 n F A TTORNEYS.

Patented Feb. 6, 1934 UNITED STATES 1,945,931 1300K STAND AND TRAY William J. Boyle, Indiana Harbor, 1nd,, assignor Y of two-fifths to Francis Warren Boyle, In-

diana Harbor, Ind.

Application August 12, 1930. Serial No. 474,761

7 Claims.

This invention appertains to a novel stand for supporting reading matter, such as books, magazines, newspapers etc., to permit the convenient reading thereof by persons reclining in bed or sitting in a chair.

One of the primary objects of my invention is to provide an improved stand of the above character, which can be readily collapsed to occupy a minimum amount of space when not in use and which can be readily set up for instant use and adjusted to the particular needs of the person and to the chair or bed.

Another important object of my invention is to provide an improved stand embodying a main supporting bar adjustable as to length with supporting legs therefor adjustable as to height, the legs being connected with the main supporting bar in a novel manner to facilitate the complete collapsing of the stand so as to occupy a minimum amount of space while in use.

A further important object of my invention is the provision of novel means for connecting the rack for the reading matter with the main support, whereby the rack can be adjusted longitudinally of the support at an angle relative there to for positioning the rack in the desired and effective place.

A further salient object of my invention is the provision of novel means for constructing a rack whereby the reading matter will be firmly held in place thereon and whereby the rack can be adjusted as to the size of the reading matter to permit the convenient holding thereof.

A further important object of my invention is the provision of a novel tray for association with a rack whereby the complete stand can be utilized as an invalids table, the rack being adapted to be swung over the main supporting bar in a horizontal plane to receive the tray.

A further object of my invention is the provision of novel means for constructing the tray itself, whereby the tray can be folded to occupy a minimum amount of space when not in use, and whereby the tray when opened to its extended operative position will be held rigid against accidental folding and present a substantially fiat surface for receiving the articles.

A still further object of my invention is to provide an improved device of the above character, which will be durable and efficient in use, one that will be simple and easy to manufacture, and one which can be placed upon the market at a reasonable cost.

With these and other objects in view, the invention consists in the novel construction, ar-

rangement and formation of parts, as will be hereinafter more fully described, claimed, and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which drawings:

Figure l is a top plan view of my improved device illustrating the novel stand and rack for the reading matter.

Figure 2 is a detail perspective view of the supporting shelf used in connection with the rack.

Figure 3 is a detail'perspective view of one of the extension slides for connection with the supporting shelf.

Figure 4 is a front elevation of my improved 7'0 device showing parts thereof broken away and in section.

Figure 5 is a detail vertical section through the main supporting bar taken on the line 5-5 of Figure4 illustrating the adjustability of said main supporting bar.

Figure 6 is a horizontal section taken on the line 6-6 of Figure 4 looking in the direction of the arrows illustrating the means for holding the tray connected therewith, the tray being swung to its horizontal position.

Figure 9 is an enlarged detail vertical section, with parts broken away, taken on the line 9-9 of Figure 1 looking in the direction of the arrows and illustrating the means for adjustably connecting the rack with the main supporting bar of the stand.

Figure 10 is a detail fragmentary perspective view of the tray illustrating the means for holding the tray against collapsing.

Figure 11 is a top plan view of my improved tray showing the same associated with the rack.

Figure 12 is a detail fragmentary section taken on the line 12-12 of Figure 11 illustrating one of the means employed for connecting the tray with the rack.

Figure 13 is a similar view taken on the line 13--13 of Figure 11 illustrating another part of the means for holding the tray on the rack.

Figure 14 is a similar view taken on the line 14-14 of Figure 11 illustrating another part of the means for holding the tray on the rack.

Figure 15 is a front elevation of my improved rack removed from the stand.

Figure 16 is a fragmentary end elevation of bolts 34 extend through the upper terminals of the rack showing a part thereof and illustrating the means whereby the rack can be adjusted as to the size of the reading matter.

Figure 17 is a detail horizontal section taken on the line 171'7 of Figure 16 illustrating one of the adjusting means of the rack.

Figure 18 is a detail perspective view of one of the extension slides for use in conjunction with the rack, and

Figure 19 is a section taken on line 19-19 of Figure 1.

Referring to the drawings in detail, wherein similar reference characters designate corresponding parts throughout the several views, the letter A generally indicates my improved device, which comprises a novel stand B, the novel rack C for the reading matter, and the novel tray D for connection with the support.

The improved stand B comprises a main horizontally disposed supporting bar and this bar is adjustable as to length and embodies a pair of slidably connected sections 16 and 17, having their inner terminals provided with slides 18 for receiving the body portion of the opposite section. The section 16 can be provided with a guide and stop lug 19 on its inner face for engaging the adjacent body portion of the section 1'7. As shown, the sections 16 and 1'7 are of substantially a channel bar construction in order to add rigidity thereto. One end of the bar 15 is provided with a lazy-H head 20, the ends of which support the right angular extending arms 21 and 22. The other end of the main frame or support bar 15 is provided with a circular head 23 for a purpose,

which will be later described. The lazy-H head 20 includes upper plate 21* and lower plate 22 between which the arms 21 and 22 are received, and these arms are pivotally connected to the head by means of suitable pivot bolts 24. In order to prevent accidental swinging of the arms on the head 20 after adjustment of the arms, the meeting surfaces of the arms and the head 20 are threaded or provided with matching teeth 25, as clearly shown in Figure 4 of the drawings.

The pivot bolts 24 are adjustable so as to bring the teeth into intimate contact with one another upon the adjustment of said arms. It is obvious also that in view of the fact that the arms are hingedly connected with the head that the arms can be swung parallel to the main frame or supporting bar 15, when it is desired to collapse the stand, as will be later described.

The outer terminals of the arms 21 and 22 carry pivoted supporting legs 26 and 2'7, and it is to be noted that the end of the bar 15 from the head 20 carries a similar supporting leg 28. These legs are all adjustable as to height and each include upper and lower slidably connected sections 29 and 30. The leg sections 29 and 30 are held in any preferred adjusted position by means of set screws 31 carried by the lower section for impinging against the upper section as clearly shown in Figures 4 and 6. All of the legs 26, 2'7, and 28 are connected in the same manner with the frame and thus the ends of the arms 21 and 22 are provided with heads 32 similar to the head 23 formed on the end of the bar 15 remote from the lazy-H head 20. The upper end of the legs 26, 2'7, and 28, and the circular heads 23 and 32 are provided with matched teeth 33 and suitable adjusting the legs and the head, and serve as means for holding the legs in any preferred adjusted angular position. It is obvious that by this construction the legs 26 and 27 can be swung parallel to the frame arms 21 and 22 after which the arms can be swung parallel to and on opposite sides of the main frame bar 15. Likewise the leg 28 can then be swung parallel to the frame bar 15. Thus the entire stand can be readily folded to occupy a minimum amount of space during shipping or storage.

The lower ends of the legs are preferably provided with feet 35 so as to prevent injury to the floor or furniture that the stand may be associated with.

Associated with the novel stand B is my improved rack C for the reading matter and this rack C includes upper and lower parallel frame bars 36 and 3'7 (see Figures 4 and 15). The upper and lower frame bars 36 and 37 are rigidly connected together by end bars 38 and intermediate angle bars 39. The lower end of the rack frame C adjacent to the opposite edges thereof is provided with inwardly directed U-shaped clips 40, and these clips are adapted toslidably receive a supporting shelf 41 (see Figures 1, 2, and 4). This shelf 41 is preferably formed from sheet metal and has its front edge upturned to provide a retaining flange 42. The body portion of the shelf can be provided with perforations 43 in order to lighten the weight thereof. The transverse center of the body portion of the shelf can be provided with a slot 44 which opens out through the rear edge thereof. As clearly shown, in Figure 4 of the drawings, the clips receive the side edges of the shelf and the shelf is held in an adjusted position in the clips by means of set screws 45, carried by the clips and which screws are adapted to impinge against the lower face of the shelf. The rack C is adjustably associated with the stand in a novel manner and this means includes a pair of spaced rearwardly extending ears 50, which constitute integral extensions projecting from the rear faces of the rearwardly extending flanges of the intermediate angle bars 39 of the rack C. These ears receive there-v between an ear 51 carried by a slide 52 which is adapted to be associated with the frame bar 15. The pair of ears 50 and the ear 51 are adapted to be pivotally connected together by means of an adjusting bolt 53 extending therethrough and the inner faces of the ears 50 and the opposite faces of the ear 51 are provided with matched teeth in order to prevent accidental turning of the cars 50 on the ear 51 after the rack C has been adjusted to the desired angle. By this construction it is obvious that the rack C can be swung at any de-. sired angle to the stand and can be swung to a complete horizontal position over the frame bar, as shown in Figure 8 of the drawings. The slide 52 (see Figure 9 of the drawings) is of a substantially U-shape and is adapted to be hooked over the frame or supporting bar 15 of the stand B and is held against accidental displacement therefrom and against accidental sliding movement longitudinally thereof by means of a set screw 54 carried by a lug 55 formed on said slide. This set screw is adapted to be adjusted under the frame bar 15 as shown. By this construction the rack can be lifted off of the frame or supporting bar when it is desired to collapse the rack. Y

The reading matter is adapted to be placed against the face of the rack with its lower edge resting on the shelf 41 and means is provided for ed within the rigid guide sleeve 62 carried by the lower edge of the frame and the rack C. This guide sleeve 62 is provided with a set screw 63 for impinging against the slide arm 61 for holding the rod in its desired adjusted position relative to the face of the rack. By this construction, it can be seen that the central portion of the book, magazine or other reading matter will be held clamped between the face of the rack C and the rod. The rod 60 has slidably mounted thereon slides 64 and 65. These slides are held in adjusted position on the rod by means of set screws 66 and carry laterally extending rods 67 for engaging the leaves of the book or other reading matter.

The rack C can be enlarged when newspapers or the like is to be supported and the means for enlarging the rack C includes an upper frame bar 68 having pivotally connected thereto movable arms 69. These arms 69 are adapted to engage the end bars 38 of the frame of the support and each arm carries, adjacent to its lower end a U- shaped clip '70 for embracing the said frame bars 38. These clips '70 can be provided with set screws '71 for engaging the frame bars 38 for holding the arms in proper position thereon. When the additional frame is not in use, the arms 69 can be swung on their pivot in parallel relation to the upper additional frame bar 68 and I prefer to construct the additional frame bar 68 of slidably connected sections '72 and '73 so that the length of this bar can be reduced when the bar is not in use. The ends of the top frame bar 36 of the frame of the rack C can likewise have associated therewith laterally extending arms '74 which are adapted to extend beyond the terminals of the upper frame bar 36. The inner ends of these arms '74 can carry clips similar to the clips '70 shown in Figures 16 and 1'7. The outer ends of the upper additional frame bar 68 and the outer end of the arms '74 can receive lengthening arms '75, and these lengthening arms '75 are of a substantially C-shape in cross section for slidably engaging the end of the additional frame bar 68 and the lengthening arm '74 and it is to be noted that the lengthening arm '74 and the end of the additional frame bar 68 are provided with longitudinally extending slots '76 through which are adapted to extend set screws 77 for engaging the said slides '75. It is obvious that upon the tightening of the set screw '77 against the body portion of the slides that the flanges thereof will be brought into intimate frictional contact with the faces of the additional upper frame bar 68 and the lengthening arm '74.

The supporting shelf 41 can also be provided l with removable lengthening slides '78 as clearly shown in Figures 1 and 3. These lengthening slides '78 of the shelf 41 are of an L shape in cross section and one flange of each slide is provided with a bent back flange portion '79 for engaging '1. over the upstanding flange 42 of the shelf. By

this construction the slides '78 can be readily associated with the shelf and moved inward toward one another or outward away from one another as desired.

The tray D can be readily associated with the rack 0, when it is desired to use the device as an invalids table or the like and this tray D embodies companion sections 90, and 91, the meeting edges of which are provided with aligned hinge barrels 92 for receiving suitable pivot pins whereby the tray sections can be folded one upon the other to reduce the area of the tray when the same is not in use. When the tray is opened to its full extent the sections are prevented against accidental swinging movement by the use ciated with the support, the shelf 41, theholding rod 60, and the other accessories for the rack C- are removed therefrom and the rack is swung to its horizontal position over the standB. The tray is now placed on'the surface of the rack C and means is'provided for connecting the tray to the rack C against accidental displacement therefrom. The lower surface of the tray is provided with a depending lug 96 which is adapted to be received in a recess 97 formed in the lower frame bar 37 of the support. At a point spaced from the lug 96 and in longitudinal alignment therewith, the lower surface of the tray D carries a clip 98 for engaging under the frame bar 3'7 as clearly shown in Figures 13 of the drawings. A similar clip 99 is carried by the lower surface of the tray adjacent to the transverse center thereof and this clip is adapted to engage the frame bar 36 as clearly shown in Figure 14 of the drawings. It is to be noted at this time that the clip 98 is pivotally associated with the tray so that the same can be swung into and out of engagement with the frame bar 37. When the tray is to be associated with the rack C the clip 99 is first slipped under the frame bar 36 after which the tray is lowered to position the lug 96 in the recess 97 of the frame bar 37, after which the pivoted clip 98 is swung under the frame bar 3'7. From the foregoing description, it can be seen that I have provided a combined holder for reading matter and invalids tray, in which the various parts thereof can be collapsed and folded to occupy a minimum amount of space when not in use.

parting from the spirit or the scope of this in-v vention, butz- What I claim as new is:

Changes in details may be made without de- 1. A device of the character described, comswinging arms supported by the lazy-H head 2 movable from a position at right angles to the bar to a position parallel to the bar, pivoted legs associated with the outer ends of the arms, and a supporting rack detachably and adjustably associated with the supporting bar.

2. In a device of the character described, a. supporting stand including a longitudinally extending bar including a pair of slidably connected sections, a pivoted leg carried by one end of the bar, means adjustably holding the leg against pivotal movement, pivoted arms connected to the other end of said bar and movable to a position either at right angles to the bar or parallel to the bar, means for holding the arms in adjusted positions, pivoted legs carried by the outer terminals of the arms, means for holding the legs against swinging movement, and means for adjusting the length of all of the legs.

3. In a device of the character described comprising a supporting stand, a supporting frame associated with the stand embodying a body against which the matter to be, supported is placed, clamps carried by said body, a supporting shelf arranged at right angles to the body slidably received in said clamps, said shelf being provided with a right angularly disposed abutment flange at its front edge, and extension slides detachably associated with said flange.

4., In a device of the character described, a supporting stand including a main frame bar, a supporting frame including upper and lower frame strips and end and intermediate frame strips connected to the first mentioned frame strips, a bracket slidably and detachably connected with the main frame bar, means pivotally connecting the supporting frame to the bracket, one of the frame strips being provided with a recess, a tray detachably associated with one face of the supporting frame having a lug for reception in said recess, a rigid clip for engaging another frame strip, and a pivoted clip for engaging the framestrip provided with a recess.

5. A device of the character described, a supporting stand, a rack adjustably connected with the stand, said rack including upper and lower frame strips and end and intermediate connecting-frame strips, a shelf slidably associated with the lower frame strip, the shelf being provided With a transversely extending slot, a guide sleeve carried by the rack positioned in said slot, a clamping rod having a right angularly extending arm slidablyreceived in said sleeve, means for clamping the arm in an. adjusted position in the sleeve, slide sleeves adjustably mounted on the rod, and leaf rods connected with said last mentioned slide sleeves.

6. In a device of the character described, a supporting frame including a main longitudinally extending frame bar, a rack including upper and lower frame bars and connecting end and intermediate frame bars, rearwardly extending pivot ears carried by the intermediate frame bars, a bracket substantially U-shaped in cross section slidably and detachably fitted on the longitudinally extending main bar, a pivot ear on said bracket received between the first mentioned pivot ears, and an adjusting pivot bolt extending through said pivot ears.

'7. In a device of the character described, a supporting stand including a main frame bar, a frame reading rack including upper and lower frame strips, and end and intermediate frame strips connected to the first mentioned frame strips, a bracket slidably and detachably connected with the main frame bar, means pivotally connecting the rack to the bracket, and a tray detachably associated with one face of the rack and having a rigid clip for engaging a frame strip.

WILLIAM J. BOYLE. 

